Measurement based eUICC fall-back

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a method performed by a connectivity service platform in a communication network. The method comprises storing a fall-back policy comprising information about a fall-back timer. The method also comprises sending a policy message comprising information about the fall-back policy to a radio device comprising an eUICC. The method also comprises determining that the radio device experiences a problem with a wireless network connection from a first subscription of the radio device with a first network operator. The method also comprises starting the fall-back timer in accordance with the stored fall-back policy in response to said determining The method also comprises falling back in accordance with the stored fall-back policy in response to the started fall-back timer having expired, thereby enabling the connectivity service platform to communicate with the radio device via a network connection from a second subscription of the radio device instead of from the first subscription.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/236,527, which is the national stage entry under 35 U.S.C. 371 ofinternational application no. PCT/SE2013/051419, filed Nov. 29, 2013,each of which applications are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to methods and devices of a communicationnetwork for managing subscriptions for wireless connection of a radiodevice having an embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC).

BACKGROUND

Unlike a traditional UICC Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card used ina consumer device, e.g. a mobile phone, all eUICC that are deployed ine.g. Machine-to-Machine (M2M) solutions and embedded into the M2M devicecannot easily be accessed by human intervention to switch the SIM cardmanually during the device life cycle. According to the Global Systemfor Mobile Communications (GSM) Association (GSMA) eUICC standard (GSMA“Remote Provisioning Architecture for Embedded UICC” DRAFT 1.39 29 Apr.2013) and European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) eUICCStandard (EXALTED “Expanding LTE for Devices” FP7 Contract Number:258512, Feb. 29, 2012), all eUICC shall be delivered with apre-installed provisioning subscription for remoteprovisioning/bootstrapping purpose (i.e. a provisioning/bootstrappingoperator provides initial bootstrapping connectivity for eUICC in orderto enable late binding feature i.e. to remotely provision the 1st eUICCoperational subscription to the eUICC when the device (e.g. a car)comprising the eUICC is shipped from initial manufacturer country to thedestination country (1st operational subscription could be provided bythe local operator from the destination country), and then later tochange the eUICC active operational subscription from the currentoperator subscription to an new operator (due to the location beingchanged to another country, or changed operator subscription) during thedevice/eUICC long life cycle (15-20 years), in order to avoid highroaming fee and/or single operator lock-in situation during the devicelong life cycle e.g. in the automotive industry or for smartmetering/security cameras etc.

However, eUICC connectivity may be lost permanently during subscriptionmanagement lifecycle through operations such asenable/disable/activate/pause/deactivate/terminate/etc. In such casesthe eUICC and network must fall back to an available subscription torecover the initial connectivity.

Chapter 3.5.12 “Fall-Back Mechanism” of GSMA “Remote ProvisioningArchitecture for Embedded UICC” DRAFT 1.39 29 Apr. 2013 states that inthe event of loss of network connectivity, as detected by the device,there is a need to change to the profile with fall-back attribute set.In this case the eUICC disables the currently enabled Profile (ProfileA) and enables the Profile with Fall-back Attribute set (Profile B). Thedevice reports network loss to the eUICC. The eUICC is configured toperform the fall-back mechanism if certain network connectivity issuesare reported by the Device.

SUMMARY

It has been realised that it may be difficult to fall back since theradio device has lost network connectivity and may not have an activesecondary subscription to fall back to. It can thus not contact awireless network of another operator to set up another subscriptionsince it does not have network connectivity.

Subscriptions of radio devices, e.g. M2M devices, may be handled via aconnectivity service platform, e.g. the Ericsson Device ConnectionPlatform (DCP) or other hosted core network (CN) or home public landmobile network (Home PLMN or HPLMN) which may be used by severaldifferent network operators to manage subscriptions for radio deviceshaving eUICC (since the subscriptions are not handled manually byinserting a UICC card in the device). Thus, a host may host amulti-tenant home location register (HLR) and other core network nodes(Gateway General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) support node (GGSN), shortmessage service centre (SMSC), etc.) in HPLMN as a core network servicefor all customer operators. All the M2M subscribers of the operators areregistered and stored on hosted HLR. Connectivity is provided as aservice to all operators hosted on the platform. On top of the corenetwork service, also a cloud business support system (BSS) may behosted to provision and manage subscriber data, processes, billing, etc.In accordance with the present disclosure, eUICC features are added inthe connectivity service platform to meet the new developments withinthis field (eUICC for M2M connections from vehicles (cars), smartmetering, security camera, and also for consumer electronics).

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided amethod performed by a connectivity service platform in a communicationnetwork. The method comprises storing a fall-back policy comprisinginformation about a fall-back timer. The method also comprises sending apolicy message comprising information about the fall-back policyincluding the fall-back timer to a radio device comprising an eUICC,said radio device having a wireless network connection. The method alsocomprises determining that the radio device experiences a problem with awireless network connection from a first subscription of the radiodevice with a first network operator. The method also comprises startingthe fall-back timer in accordance with the stored fall-back policy inresponse to said determining The method also comprises falling back inaccordance with the stored fall-back policy in response to the startedfall-back timer having expired, thereby enabling the connectivityservice platform to communicate with the radio device via a networkconnection from a second subscription of the radio device instead offrom the first subscription.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda computer program product comprising computer-executable components forcausing a connectivity service platform to perform an embodiment of themethod performed by a connectivity service platform, of the presentdisclosure, when the computer-executable components are run on processorcircuitry comprised in the connectivity service platform.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda connectivity service platform for a communication network. Theplatform comprises processor circuitry, and storage storing instructionsthat, when executed by the processor circuitry, cause the connectivityservice platform to store a fall-back policy comprising informationabout a fall-back timer. The instructions also cause the platform tosend a policy message comprising information about the fall-back policyincluding the fall-back timer to a radio device comprising an eUICC,said radio device having a wireless network connection. The instructionsalso cause the platform to determine that the radio device experiences aproblem with a wireless network connection from a first subscription ofthe radio device with a first network operator. The instructions alsocause the platform to start the fall-back timer in accordance with thestored fall-back policy in response to said determining The instructionsalso cause the platform to fall back in accordance with the storedfall-back policy in response to the started fall-back timer havingexpired, enabling the connectivity service platform to communicate withthe radio device via a network connection from a second subscription ofthe radio device instead of from the first subscription.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda computer program comprising computer program code which is able to,when run on processor circuitry of a connectivity service platform,cause the connectivity service platform to store a fall-back policycomprising information about a fall-back timer. The code is also able tocause the platform to send a policy message comprising information aboutthe fall-back policy including the fall-back timer to a radio devicecomprising an eUICC, said radio device having a wireless networkconnection. The code is also able to cause the platform to determinethat the radio device experiences a problem with a wireless networkconnection from a first subscription of the radio device with a firstnetwork operator. The code is also able to cause the platform to startthe fall-back timer in accordance with the stored fall-back policy inresponse to said determining The code is also able to cause the platformto fall back in accordance with the stored fall-back policy in responseto the started fall-back timer having expired, enabling the connectivityservice platform to communicate with the radio device via a networkconnection from a second subscription of the radio device instead offrom the first subscription.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda computer program product comprising an embodiment of the computerprogram for a connectivity service platform, of the present disclosure,and a computer readable means on which the computer program is stored.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda method performed by a radio device, comprising an eUICC, in acommunication network. The method comprises receiving a policy message,comprising information about a platform fall-back policy including aplatform fall-back timer, from a connectivity service platform via awireless network connection. The method also comprises storing a devicefall-back policy comprising information about a device fall-back timerbased on said received policy message. The method also comprisesdetermining that the radio device experiences a problem with a wirelessnetwork connection from a first subscription of the radio device with afirst network operator. The method also comprises starting the devicefall-back timer in accordance with the stored fall-back policy inresponse to said determining. The method also comprises falling back inaccordance with the stored fall-back policy in response to the startedfall-back timer having expired, thereby enabling the radio device tocommunicate with the connectivity service platform via a networkconnection from a second subscription of the radio device instead offrom the first subscription.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda computer program product comprising computer-executable components forcausing a radio device to perform an embodiment of the method performedby a radio device, of the present disclosure, when thecomputer-executable components are run on processor circuitry comprisedin the radio device.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda radio device for a communication network. The radio device comprisesan eUICC, processor circuitry, and storage storing instructions that,when executed by the processor circuitry, cause the radio device toreceive a policy message, comprising information about a platformfall-back policy including a platform fall-back timer, from aconnectivity service platform via a wireless network connection. Theinstructions also cause the radio device to receive a policy message,comprising information about a platform fall-back policy including aplatform fall-back timer, from a connectivity service platform via awireless network connection. The instructions also cause the radiodevice to store a device fall-back policy comprising information about adevice fall-back timer based on said received policy message. Theinstructions also cause the radio device to determine that the radiodevice experiences a problem with a wireless network connection from afirst subscription of the radio device with a first network operator.The instructions also cause the radio device to start the devicefall-back timer in accordance with the stored fall-back policy inresponse to said determining The instructions also cause the radiodevice to fall back in accordance with the stored fall-back policy inresponse to the started fall-back timer having expired, thereby enablingthe radio device to communicate with the connectivity service platformvia a network connection from a second subscription of the radio deviceinstead of from the first subscription.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda computer program comprising computer program code which is able to,when run on processor circuitry of a radio device comprising an eUICC ina communication network, cause the radio device to receive a policymessage, comprising information about a platform fall-back policyincluding a platform fall-back timer, from a connectivity serviceplatform via a wireless network connection. The code is also able tocause the radio device to store a device fall-back policy comprisinginformation about a device fall-back timer based on said received policymessage. The code is also able to cause the radio device to determinethat the radio device experiences a problem with a wireless networkconnection from a first subscription of the radio device with a firstnetwork operator. The code is also able to cause the radio device tostart the device fall-back timer in accordance with the stored fall-backpolicy in response to said determining The code is also able to causethe radio device to fall back in accordance with the stored fall-backpolicy in response to the started fall-back timer having expired,thereby enabling the radio device to communicate with the connectivityservice platform via a network connection from a second subscription ofthe radio device instead of from the first subscription.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda computer program product comprising an embodiment of the computerprogram for the radio device, of the present disclosure, and a computerreadable means on which the computer program is stored.

By having a fall-back policy, and by the connectivity service platform(below also called “the platform”) informing the radio device about saidpolicy, both the network side, as represented by the platform, and theradio device can fall back, each by itself since network connectivity islost, taking into account knowledge of each other's fall-back policies.Both the platform and the radio device may e.g. fall back at the sametime and in the same way (typically to the same network subscription) ina synchronised manner. Thus, the risk of the radio device falling backto one subscription, or keeping a non-functioning subscription, and thenetwork (platform) falling back to another subscription (or keeping anon-functional subscription), which would result in a permanent loss ofconnectivity, can be eliminated. Typically, the fall-back policy of theplatform corresponds to/is the same as the fall-back policy of the radiodevice. The fall-back is in response to a determination that the radiodevice experiences a problem with its network connection via the firstsubscription, typically by means on measurements performed on thenetwork connection.

Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted accordingto their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitlydefined otherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the element,apparatus, component, means, step, etc.” are to be interpreted openly asreferring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component,means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of anymethod disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact orderdisclosed, unless explicitly stated. The use of “first”, “second” etc.for different features/components of the present disclosure are onlyintended to distinguish the features/components from other similarfeatures/components and not to impart any order or hierarchy to thefeatures/components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described, by way of example, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of acommunication network in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a connectivityservice platform of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a radio deviceof the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a computerprogram product of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5a is a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of a method of aconnectivity service platform, of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5b is a schematic flow chart of another embodiment of a method of aconnectivity service platform, of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6a is a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of a method of aradio device, of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6b is a schematic flow chart of another embodiment of a method of aradio device, of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating example embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments are shown.However, other embodiments in many different forms are possible withinthe scope of the present disclosure. Rather, the following embodimentsare provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thoroughand complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to thoseskilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout thedescription.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of acommunication network 1 in accordance with the present disclosure. Thecommunication network 1 comprises a connectivity service platform 2,e.g. an Ericsson Device Connection Platform (EDCP or DCP) for providingCN functionality for customers in the form of several different mobilenetwork operators (MNO) for a plurality of radio devices 5 having eUICC6, e.g. M2M devices 5. Each of the radio devices 5 may be any device oruser equipment (UE), mobile or stationary, enabled to communicate over aradio channel in a communications network, for instance but not limitedto e.g. mobile phone, smart phone, modem, sensors, meters, vehicles suchas cars or the like, household appliances, medical appliances, mediaplayers, cameras, or any type of consumer electronic, for instance butnot limited to television, radio, lighting arrangements, tabletcomputer, laptop, or personal computer (PC). The connectivity serviceplatform 2 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 comprises a cloud businesssupport system (BSS) 3 as well as a cloud home public land mobilenetwork (HPLMN) 4. The HPLMN 4 comprises any regular CN nodes or modulesof a radio communication network, e.g. home location register (HLR),Gateway General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) support node (GGSN), shortmessage service centre (SMSC), Signal Transfer Point (STP), Domain NameSystem (DNS), and authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA)RADIUS, for e.g. Signalling System 7 (SS7) and/or Integrated ServicesDigital Network (ISDN) communications protocols of signalling transport(SIGTRAN). The radio device 5 has a wireless connection to the network 1and the platform 2 via a wireless connection provided by a visited PLMN(VPLMN) of a network operator 7 or 8. Each of the VPLMN also comprisethe nodes and modules typical for such networks. Each operator 7, 8 hasa radio access network (RAN) with base stations via which radio devicesmay connect wirelessly provided that they have an enabled and activesubscription with the operator. Since the radio device has an eUICC, theeUICC needs to be flash updated in order to change to a new subscriptionfor its wireless connection. Instructions for the update need typicallybe received via its wireless connection of an old subscription beforethe change to the new subscription. The new subscription, may be withthe same operator 7 as the old subscription, but it may more commonly bewith a new operator 8.

The platform 2—eUICC 6 synchronized fall-back mechanism (measurementbased) of the present disclosure makes sure that the fall-back mechanismis occurring on both the eUICC and on the platform simultaneously, sothat after fall-back to e.g. the provisioning subscription, theconnectivity can be active and recovered on both the eUICC and theplatform 2. It is problematic if e.g. the eIUCC falls back to a secondsubscription (e.g. provisioning subscription) while the platform doesnot fall back, or does not fall back to the same subscription as theradio device. Then the second subscription will not be activated/enabledon the network side. This problem is solved by the synchronizedfall-back of the present disclosure. The radio device 5 may e.g.experience a problem with a new subscription when performing a handoverfrom an old subscription to a new one. If, after having enabled the newsubscription (the first subscription), both the radio device and theplatform may perform measurements on the new subscription and determinethat there is a problem. As a result, they both fall back in accordancewith their fall-back policy to the second subscription which may e.g. bethe old subscription or the provisioning subscription. To changesubscription e.g. during handover or fall-back, comprises to disable oldsubscription and enable new subscription, old international mobilesubscriber (IMSI) detaches from the old network 7 and new IMSI attachesto new network 8:

1) eUICC Side During Handover

The eUICC 6 detects that the new enabled subscription/connectivitydoesn't work, which prompts it to use the pre-defined fall-backtriggering timer 32 and fall-back policy 37. Then the eUICC disables thecurrent enabled subscription (the new, first subscription), and enablese.g. the provisioning subscription (the second subscription). The eUICCthen tries again to connect to the network 1 using the provisioningsubscription.

2) Simultaneously on the Network (Platform 2) Side

The platform detects the new enabled subscription/connectivity doesn'twork, which prompts it to use the pre-defined fall-back triggering timer22 and fall-back policy 27 (typically same/corresponding timer andpolicy as on the eUICC side). Then, the platform disables the currentenabled subscription (first subscription), and enables the provisioningsubscription (second subscription) in BSS 3/HLR 28. The platform willthen wait for the eUICC to connect again via the provisioningsubscription.

3) The eUICC 6 Tries to Connect Via the Provisioning Subscription

Success? Synchronized fall-back done.

Failure? Shall Retry. The platform 2 should keep the provisioningsubscription enabled and keep waiting for the device 5/eUICC 6 toreconnect via the provisioning subscription. The radio device shallretry to attach to the network via the provisioning subscription if the1st attachment attempt has failed, since is may be due to that theprovisioning subscription hasn't yet been enabled on the network side aspart of the fall-back of the platform 2, so the device 5 should wait awhile and then attempt to attach again. The eUICC and platform shouldwait for each other to establish connection, until it is successfullyestablished.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the determining comprisesreceiving or otherwise obtaining an error message comprising informationabout a failure in the wireless network connection from the firstsubscription of the radio device. The platform 2 may e.g. try to contactthe radio device 5 via the first subscription connection, whereby thenetwork 1 returns the error message to or in the platform. In someembodiments, the error message is triggered within the platform 2, e.g.by the HLR, the SMSC or GGSN, but in some other embodiments the errormessage is triggered outside the platform 2 e.g. by a serving GPRSsupport node (SGSN) or Mobile switching centre (MSC). The error messagemay e.g. imply that it is not possible to find a functioning networkconnection to the radio device. An error message may then be sent by theplatform 2 to the radio device 5.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the radio device 5 has awireless network connection from an enabled subscription. In that case,the platform 2 method may comprise attempting to perform a handover ofthe network connection of the radio device from the enabled subscriptionto the first subscription. The method may then comprise receiving asubscription management message instructing the connectivity serviceplatform 2 to perform a handover from the enabled subscription to thefirst subscription for the wireless connection of the radio device 5,and sending a subscription management message to the radio device 5,instructing the radio device to perform the handover from the enabledsubscription to the first subscription for the wireless connection ofthe radio device. The handover attempt is performed before thedetermining that the radio device 5 experiences a problem with thewireless network connection from the first subscription. As part of thefall-back, the platform 2 and device 5 may fall back to e.g. thepreviously enabled subscription as the second subscription or theprovisioning subscription as the second subscription.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the radio device 5 has awireless network connection from the first subscription, before thedetermining that the radio device experiences a problem with thewireless network connection from the first subscription. This impliesthat the problem is not experienced when trying to connect via the firstsubscription for the first time, but at a later stage when the networkconnection via the first subscription has been functional for a time.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the falling back of theplatform 2 comprises sending instructions to a network operator that thesecond subscription should be activated. This may be necessary in orderfor the operator 7 or 8 to activate/enable the fall-back subscriptionsuch that the radio device 5 can fall back to that new subscription toobtain network connectivity.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the falling backcomprises, for both the platform 2 and the radio device 5, to enable thesecond (new/fall-back) subscription for enabling communication the radiodevice 5 and the platform 2 over the wireless connection of the secondsubscription.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second (fall-back)subscription is with a second network operator 8, different than thefirst network operator 7. However, in other embodiments, the secondsubscription may be with the same first network operator 7 as the firstsubscription.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second (fall-back)subscription is a provisioning subscription of the radio device eUICC 6.The provisioning subscription may be suitable for fall-back since it istypically always present, even if not enabled, in the eUICC. Thisimplies that also the platform 2 has to enable the provisioningsubscription, and the operator 8 who provides the provisioningsubscription has to activate it if it is not already active.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the fall-back timer isset to expire after between 10 and 60 minutes from having been startedin accordance with the stored fall-back policy. The timer of either theplatform 2 and/or the radio device 5 (typically the timer is set to runfor the same time period both in the radio device and the platform inorder to provide synchronised and simultaneous fall-back) could be setto any suitable period, but it may be suitable to not use a period ofless than 10, 15 or 20 minutes in order to provide ample time for theradio device to exhaust the possibilities of connecting via the firstsubscription. A period above 0.5, 1 or 2 hours may allow the radiodevice to be without a functioning network connection for too long,depending on the circumstances.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a connectivityservice platform 2 of the present disclosure. The platform 2 comprisesprocessor circuitry 21 e.g. a central processing unit (CPU). Theprocessor circuitry 21 may comprise one or a plurality of processingunits in the form of microprocessor(s). However, other suitable deviceswith computing capabilities could be comprised in the processor 21, e.g.an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmablegate array (FPGA) or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). Theprocessor circuitry 21 is configured to run one or several computerprogram(s) or software 41 stored in a storage 26 e.g. comprising amemory. The processor circuitry comprises one or several modules 22-25as a result of executing SW 41 in the storage 26, e.g. the fall-backtriggering timer 22, a subscription management component (SMC) 23, asubscription change component (SCC) 24 and/or a subscription fall-backcomponent (SFC) 25 which is below, in FIG. 7, as an example depicted ascomprising the timer 22 as well as the executed fall-back policy 27 andthe fall-back detector 73. The platform 2 also comprises a functionalityfor performing measurements on the network connection of the radiodevice 5, e.g. in the form of another module which in the example ofFIG. 7 is called a traffic and signalling monitor (TSM) 72. Each ofthese modules may be formed by separate or dedicated processors of theprocessor circuitry 21 or by a common processor. The storage 26 maycomprise one or several storage units, of one or several type(s), eachof which can be regarded as a computer readable means as discussedherein and may e.g. be in the form of a Random Access Memory (RAM), aFlash memory or other solid state memory, or a hard disk, or be acombination thereof. Also the HLR 28 as well as the fall-back policy 27is part of/stored in the storage 26. The processor circuitry 21 is alsoconfigured to store data in the storage 26, as needed. The platform 2also comprises a communication interface 29 for communication with theradio device 5 as well as with other parts of the communication network1 such as the operators 7 and 8. The communication interface maycomprise a transmitter and a receiver for, in cooperation with theprocessor circuitry 21, sending and receiving data messages and otherdigital signalling.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a radio device 5of the present disclosure. The radio device 5 comprises processorcircuitry 31 e.g. a central processing unit (CPU). The processorcircuitry 31 may comprise one or a plurality of processing units in theform of microprocessor(s). However, other suitable devices withcomputing capabilities could be comprised in the processor circuitry 31,e.g. an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA) or a complex programmable logic device(CPLD). The processor circuitry 31 is configured to run one or severalcomputer program(s) or software 41 stored in a storage 36 e.g.comprising a memory. The processor circuitry comprises one or severalmodules 32-35 as a result of executing SW 41 in the storage 36, e.g. thefall-back triggering timer 32, a subscription management component (SMC)33, a subscription change component (SCC) 34 and/or a subscriptionfall-back component (SFC) 35 which is below, in FIG. 7, as an exampledepicted as comprising the timer 32 as well as the executed fall-backpolicy 37 and a fall-back detector 76. The radio device 5 also comprisesa functionality for performing measurements on the network connection ofthe radio device 5, e.g. in the form of another module which in theexample of FIG. 7 is called a traffic and signalling monitor (TSM) 75.Each of these modules may be formed by separate or dedicated processorsof the processor circuitry 31 or by a common processor. The storage 36may comprise one or several storage units, of one or several type(s),each of which can be regarded as a computer readable means as discussedherein and may e.g. be in the form of a Random Access Memory (RAM), aFlash memory or other solid state memory, or a hard disk, or be acombination thereof. Also the eIUCC 6 of the device 5 as well as thefall-back policy 37 is part of/stored in the storage 36. The processorcircuitry 31 is also configured to store data in the storage 36, asneeded. The radio device 5 also comprises a radio communicationinterface 39 for communication with the platform 2 as well as with otherparts of the communication network 1 such as the operators 7 and 8. Thecommunication interface may comprise a transmitter and a receiver, aswell as an antenna, for, in cooperation with the processor circuitry 31,sending and receiving data messages and other digital signallingwirelessly.

FIG. 4 illustrates a computer program product 40. The computer programproduct 40 comprises a computer readable medium 42 comprising a computerprogram 41 in the form of computer-executable components 41. Thecomputer program/computer-executable components 41 may be configured tocause a device, e.g. the platform 2 or the radio device 5 as discussedherein, to perform an embodiment of the method of the presentdisclosure. The computer program/computer-executable components may berun on the processor circuitry 21 of the platform 2 or the processorcircuitry 31 of the radio device 5 for causing the device to perform themethod. The computer program product 40 may e.g. be comprised in astorage 26 or 36 comprised in the platform or radio device andassociated with the processor circuitry 21 or 31. Alternatively, thecomputer program product 40 may be, or be part of, a separate, e.g.mobile, storage means, such as a computer readable disc, e.g. CD or DVDor hard disc/drive, or a solid state storage medium, e.g. a RAM or Flashmemory.

FIG. 5a is a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of a method of theconnectivity service platform 2, of the present disclosure. The platform2 stores 50 its fall-back policy 27 comprising information about itsfall-back timer 22 in its storage 26. The platform 2 sends 51 a policymessage comprising information about the fall-back policy 27 to theradio device 5 comprising an eUICC 6, said radio device having awireless network connection (via the first subscription or via anotherearlier subscription). The policy message should be sent 51 before thelater step of falling back 54. The platform 2 determining 52 that theradio device 5 experiences a problem with a wireless network connectionfrom a first subscription of the radio device with a first networkoperator 7. In response to the determining that there is a problem, theplatform 2 starts 53 its fall-back timer 22 in accordance with itsfall-back policy 27. Then, if and when the fall-back timer 22 hasexpired after having run its full duration, the platform 2 falls back 54in accordance with the stored 50 fall-back policy 27 in response to thestarted 53 fall-back timer 22 having expired, thereby enabling theconnectivity service platform 2 to communicate with the radio device 5via a network connection from a second subscription of the radio deviceinstead of from the first subscription.

FIG. 5b is a schematic flow chart of another embodiment of a method ofthe connectivity service platform 2, of the present disclosure. Thesteps of storing 50, sending 51 a policy message, determining 52,starting 53 the timer 22, and falling back 54 are as discussed inrelation to FIG. 5 a. Further, the platform 2 may in some embodimentsreceive 55 a subscription management message instructing theconnectivity service platform 2 to perform a handover from an enabledsubscription to the first subscription for the wireless connection ofthe radio device 5. Then, in some embodiments, the platform 2 may, send56 a subscription management message to the radio device 5, instructingthe radio device to perform the handover from the enabled subscriptionto the first subscription for the wireless connection of the radiodevice 5. This subscription management signalling is performed beforethe determining 52 that there is a problem with the first subscription.In some embodiments, the determining 52 that there is a problem with thefirst subscription comprises obtaining 57 (e.g. receiving or creating)an error message comprising information about a failure in the wirelessnetwork connection from the first subscription of the radio device 5. Insome embodiments, the falling back 54 comprises sending 58 instructionsto a network operator 8 providing the second subscription that thesecond subscription should be activated by the operator 8. In someembodiments, the falling back 54 comprises enabling 59 the secondsubscription in the connectivity service platform 2 for communicationwith the radio device 5.

FIG. 6a is a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of a method of theradio device 5, of the present disclosure. The radio device 5 receives60 a policy message, comprising information about a platform fall-backpolicy 27 including a platform fall-back timer 22, from the connectivityservice platform 2 via a wireless network connection (via the firstsubscription or via another earlier subscription). The policy message isreceived 60 before the later step of falling back 64. The radio devicestores 61 a device fall-back policy 37 comprising information about adevice fall-back timer 32 based on said received 60 policy message. Thedevice fall-back policy 37 is typically the same or substantiallycorresponding to the fall-back policy 27 of the platform 2. The radiodevice 5 determines 62 that the radio device 5 experiences a problemwith a wireless network connection from a first subscription of theradio device with a first network operator 7. In response to thedetermining 62 that there is a problem, the radio device 5 starts 63 itsfall-back timer 32 in accordance with its fall-back policy 37. Then, ifand when the fall-back timer 22 has expired after having run its fullduration, the radio device 5 falls back 64 in accordance with the stored60 fall-back policy 37 in response to the started 63 fall-back timer 22having expired, thereby enabling the radio device 5 to communicate withthe platform 2 via a network connection from a second subscription ofthe radio device instead of from the first subscription.

FIG. 6b is a schematic flow chart of another embodiment of a method ofthe radio device 5, of the present disclosure. The steps of receiving 60a policy message, storing 61, determining 62, starting 63 the timer, andfalling back 64 are as discussed in relation to FIG. 6 a. Further, theradio device 5 may in some embodiments receive 65 a subscriptionmanagement message instructing the radio device 5 to perform a handoverfrom an enabled subscription to the first subscription for the wirelessconnection of the radio device 5. Further, the determining 62 maycomprise receiving 66 an error message, e.g. from the platform 2,comprising information about a failure in the wireless networkconnection from the first subscription of the radio device 5. In someembodiments, the falling back 64 comprises enabling 67 the secondsubscription in the radio device 5 for obtaining the wireless networkconnection from the second subscription.

Example—Fall-Back Policy, on Both Platform 2 (Network) and eUICC 6 Side

Fall-back triggering timers 22 and 32 are set to e.g. 15 minutes.

Any time after subscription is changed as part of a handover from anenabled subscription to the first subscription, if both the platform 2and eUICC 6 have kept on receiving certain failures or rejection (error)messages from the network with the new (first) subscription (i.e. MNO 7IMSI) for 15 minutes (timer 22/32 threshold), then fall-back shall beexecuted on both eUICC and platform sides simultaneously. The fall-back(second) subscription could be e.g. the provisioning subscription.

Error messages include but are not restricted to the following (on bothplatform and radio device sides):

Attach Failures/Rejections

Location update failures (with MNO 7 IMSI) responded from the network 1.

Authentication failures (with MNO 7 IMSI) responded from the network 1.

Mobile Originated Short Message Service (MO-SMS) Failures/Rejections

MO SMS (with MNO 7 Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network(ISDN) Number (MSISDN)) failures responded from the network. (e.g. theeUICC 6/device 5 will send out an MO-SMS confirmation immediately afterit is attached to MNO 7 network using the new MNO 7 IMSI/MSISDN whenchanged subscription to the MNO 7 subscription)

Packet Data Protocol (PDP) Context Activation Failures/Rejections

Network failures (with MNO 7 IMSI) responded from the network 1

PDP Context Activation Failures (with MNO 7 IMSI) responded from thenetwork 1

Below is a step-wise example of an embodiment of the method of thepresent disclosure in which a handover situation from an enabled (old)subscription with an old MNO 77 to the first (new) subscription with anew MNO 7 results in a fall-back to the second (fall-back) subscription,in this example the provisioning subscription) with the second MNO 8.

Reference is made to FIG. 7.

Step A

The subscription fall-back component (SFC) 25 in the platform 2 BSS 3defines the platform fall-back triggering timer 22 and the platformfall-back policy 27, and sends 51 the value of the timer 22 and thefall-back policy 27 to the subscription fall-back component (SFC) 35 inthe eUICC 6 of the radio device 5, by SIM provisioning by over-the-air(SIMOTA), eUICC subscription manager-secure routing (SM-SR), server 71via the current enabled connectivity (MNO 77, international mobilesubscriber identity (IMSI) connectivity).

Step B

Ba) The subscription change component (SCC) 24 in the platform 2 BSS 3changes subscription from the current enabled subscription of MNO 77 tothe new subscription (IMSI) of MNO 7, both in the platform BSS 3 and HLR28.

Bb) The SCC 24 in platform BSS 3 notifies the subscription fall-backcomponent (SFC) 25 in BSS 3, whereby the fall-back detector 73 in theSFC 25 starts running

Bc) The SCC 24 in BSS 3 also notifies the eUICC 6 SCC 34 via SIMOTA(eUICC SM-SR) server 71 to change the subscription from current enabledsubscription of MNO 77 to the new subscription (IMSI) of MNO 7, via thecurrent enabled subscription MNO 77 connectivity.

Bd) The SCC 34 in eUICC 6 changes subscription from the current enabledsubscription of MNO 77 to the new subscription (IMSI) of MNO 7.

Be) The SCC 34 in eUICC 6 notifies the SFC 35 in the eUICC 6, wherebythe fall-back detector 76 in the SFC 35 starts running.

Step C

The radio device 5 detaches from the current MNO 77 network and startsto attach to the MNO 7 network using the new MNO IMSI. The traffic andsignalling monitor (TSM) 75 in the eUICC 6 (or elsewhere in device 5)starts to monitor the ongoing signalling flow and traffic flow with MNO7 IMSI, on the device 5 side.

Meanwhile the TSM 72 in the platform 2 starts to monitor the ongoingsignalling flow and traffic flow with the MNO 7 network, including allsignalling and traffic using the new MNO 7 IMSI.

Step D

On both the eUICC 6 and platform 2 (network) side:

The fall-back detector 73/76 acquires the real-time traffic andsignalling log from the TSM 72/75, in order to detect whether 52/62 thenew enabled MNO 7 subscription (MNO 7 IMSI) works well or not.

When the fall-back detector 73/76 receives 57/66 the first time failureor rejection message regarding MNO 7 IMSI from the TSM real-time log,the fall-back detector will start 53/63 the timer 22/32.

When the fall-back timer 22/32 expires and the fall-back detector 73/76still keeps detecting the failure or rejection messages regarding MNO 7IMSI, it shall make decision to fall-back 54/64 to provisioningsubscription of fall-back MNO 8, according to the pre-defined fall-backpolicy 27/37. It should be kept in mind that the fall-back policies aswell as the timers are typically the same, or substantiallycorresponding to each other, in the platform 2 and the radio device 5.

Step E

On both the eUICC 6 and platform 2 (network) side:

If the decision based on the fall-back policy 27/37 is that it theplatform 2/device 5 should fall back to the provisioning subscription,the fall-back detector 73/76 will notify the SCC 24/34 to change thesubscription to the provisioning subscription.

Step F

The eUICC 6 disables the MNO 7 subscription, and enables the MNO 8provisioning subscription.

The platform 2 disables the MNO 7 subscription, and enables the MNO 8provisioning subscription in BSS 3 and HLR 28.

Step G

The eUICC 6 tries to connect to network via the provisioningsubscription connectivity, while the platform 2 waits for the eUICC tobe connected to the network 1 again.

Success? Synchronized fall-back done.

Failure? Shall Retry. The platform 2 should keep the provisioningsubscription enabled and keep waiting for the device 5/eUICC 6 toreconnect via the provisioning subscription. The radio device shallretry to attach to the network via the provisioning subscription if the1st attachment attempt has failed, since is may be due to that theprovisioning subscription hasn't yet been enabled on the network side aspart of the fall-back of the platform 2, so the device 5 should wait awhile and then attempt to attach again. The eUICC and platform shouldwait for each other to establish connection, until it is successfullyestablished.

Note: If there are other available subscriptions (operationalsubscription) than the provisioning subscription existing on both eUICC6 and platform 2, it is also possible to fall back 55/64 to thatsubscription, why the present disclosure is not restricted to fall-backto the provisioning subscription only. If the fall-back to the secondsubscription fails, it is possible to, in accordance with the fall-backpolicy 27/37, fall back to yet another subscription. The fall-backmechanisms for any second, third etc. fall-back of both the platform 2and the radio device 5 may be as described above for the (first)fall-back mechanism.

Below follow some other aspects of the present disclosure.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided aconnectivity service platform 2 for a communication network 1. Theconnectivity service platform 2 comprises means (e.g. the storage 26)for storing 50 a fall-back policy 27 comprising information about afall-back timer 22. The connectivity service platform 2 also comprisesmeans (e.g. the processor circuitry 21, such as the SFC 25, incooperation with the communication interface 29) for sending 51 a policymessage comprising information about the fall-back policy 27 to a radiodevice 5 comprising an eUICC 6, said radio device having a wirelessnetwork connection. The connectivity service platform 2 also comprisesmeans (e.g. the processor circuitry 21, such as the TSM 72 and/or thefall-back detector 73) for determining 52 that the radio device 5experiences a problem with a wireless network connection from a firstsubscription of the radio device with a first network operator 7. Theconnectivity service platform 2 also comprises means (e.g. the processorcircuitry 21, such as the SFC 25) for starting 53 the fall-back timer 22in accordance with the stored 50 fall-back policy 27 in response to saiddetermining 52. The connectivity service platform 2 also comprises means(e.g. the processor circuitry 21, such as the SCC 24) for falling back(54) in accordance with the stored (50) fall-back policy (27) inresponse to the started (53) fall-back timer (22) having expired,thereby enabling the connectivity service platform (2) to communicatewith the radio device (5) via a network connection from a secondsubscription of the radio device instead of from the first subscription.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda radio device 5 for a communication network 1. The radio devicecomprises an eUICC 6. The radio device 5 also comprises means (e.g. theprocessor circuitry 31, such as the SFC 35, in cooperation with theradio communication interface 39) for receiving 60 a policy message,comprising information about a platform fall-back policy 27 including aplatform fall-back timer 22, from a connectivity service platform 2 viaa wireless network connection. The radio device 5 also comprises means(e.g. the storage 36) for storing 61 a device fall-back policy 37comprising information about a device fall-back timer 32 based on saidreceived 60 policy message. The radio device 5 also comprises means(e.g. the processor circuitry 31, such as the TSM 75 and/or thefall-back detector 76) for determining 62 that the radio device 5experiences a problem with a wireless network connection from a firstsubscription of the radio device with a first network operator 7. Theradio device 5 also comprises means (e.g. the processor circuitry 31,such as the SFC 35) for starting 63 the device fall-back timer 32 inaccordance with the stored 61 fall-back policy 37 in response to saiddetermining 62. The radio device 5 also comprises means (e.g. theprocessor circuitry 31, such as the SCC 34) for falling back 64 inaccordance with the stored 61 fall-back policy 37 in response to thestarted 63 fall-back timer 32 having expired, thereby enabling the radiodevice 5 to communicate with the connectivity service platform 2 via anetwork connection from a second subscription of the radio deviceinstead of from the first subscription.

The present disclosure has mainly been described above with reference toa few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a personskilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above areequally possible within the scope of the present disclosure, as definedby the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method performed by a card embedded in aradio device in a communication network, the method comprising:receiving a policy message, comprising information about a fall-backpolicy including a fall-back timer; storing a device fall-back policycomprising information about a device fall-back timer based on thereceived policy message; determining that the radio device experiences aproblem with a wireless network connection from a first subscription ofthe radio device with a first network operator; starting the devicefall-back timer in accordance with the stored fall-back policy inresponse to said determining; and falling back in accordance with thestored fall-back policy in response to the started fall-back timerhaving expired, thereby allowing the radio device to have a wirelessnetwork connection from a second subscription of the radio deviceinstead of from the first subscription.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the card is an embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card(eUICC) and the fall-back policy is from a connectivity service platformnode in the communication network that manages subscriptions for radiodevices having an embedded eUICC.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein thewireless network connection from a first subscription and the wirelessnetwork connection from a second subscription comprises a connection tothe connectivity service platform.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thedetermining comprises receiving an error message comprising informationabout a failure in the wireless network connection from the firstsubscription of the radio device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thedetermining comprises acquiring information from the communicationnetwork indicating how well the wireless connection is working.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the radio device has a wireless networkconnection from an enabled subscription, and wherein the determiningthat the radio device experiences a problem with the wireless networkconnection from the first subscription comprises determining before theradio device receives a subscription management message instructing theradio device to perform a handover from the enabled subscription to thefirst subscription for the wireless connection of the radio device. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the radio device has a wireless networkconnection from the first subscription, before the determining that theradio device experiences a problem with the wireless network connectionfrom the first subscription.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein thefalling back comprises enabling the second subscription in the radiodevice for obtaining the wireless network connection from the secondsubscription.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second subscriptionis with a second network operator, different than the first networkoperator.
 10. A card configured to be embedded in a radio device, thecard comprises memory and circuitry, the circuitry configured to:receive a policy message, comprising information about a fall-backpolicy including a fall-back timer; store a device fall-back policycomprising information about a device fall-back timer based on thereceived policy message; determine that the radio device experiences aproblem with a wireless network connection from a first subscription ofthe radio device with a first network operator; start the devicefall-back timer in accordance with the stored fall-back policy inresponse to said determining; and fall back in accordance with thestored fall-back policy in response to the started fall-back timerhaving expired, thereby allowing the radio device to have a wirelessnetwork connection from a second subscription of the radio deviceinstead of from the first subscription.
 11. The card of claim 10,wherein the card is an embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card(eUICC) and the fall-back policy is from a connectivity service platformnode in the communication network that manages subscriptions for radiodevices having an embedded eUICC.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinthe second subscription is a provisioning subscription of the card. 13.The card of claim 11, wherein the wireless network connection from afirst subscription and the wireless network connection from a secondsubscription comprises a connection to the connectivity serviceplatform.
 14. The card of claim 10, wherein the circuitry is configuredto determine that the radio device experiences a problem by receiving anerror message comprising information about a failure in the wirelessnetwork connection from the first subscription of the radio device. 15.The card of claim 10, wherein the radio device has a wireless networkconnection from an enabled subscription, and wherein the determiningthat the radio device experiences a problem with the wireless networkconnection from the first subscription comprises determining before theradio device receives a subscription management message instructing theradio device to perform a handover from the enabled subscription to thefirst subscription for the wireless connection of the radio device. 16.The card of claim 10, wherein the radio device has a wireless networkconnection from the first subscription, before the determining that theradio device experiences a problem with the wireless network connectionfrom the first subscription.
 17. The card of claim 10, wherein thecircuitry is configured to fall back by enabling the second subscriptionin the radio device for obtaining the wireless network connection fromthe second subscription.
 18. The card of claim 10, wherein the secondsubscription is with a second network operator, different than the firstnetwork operator.
 19. The card of claim 10, wherein the secondsubscription is a provisioning subscription of the card.
 20. Anon-transitory computer readable medium storing computer program codethat, when run on circuitry of a card embedded in a radio device, causesthe card to: receive a policy message, comprising information about afall-back policy including a fall-back timer; store a device fall-backpolicy comprising information about a device fall-back timer based onthe received policy message; determine that the radio device experiencesa problem with a wireless network connection from a first subscriptionof the radio device with a first network operator; start the devicefall-back timer in accordance with the stored fall-back policy inresponse to said determining; and fall back in accordance with thestored fall-back policy in response to the started fall-back timerhaving expired, thereby allowing the radio device to have a wirelessnetwork connection from a second subscription of the radio deviceinstead of from the first subscription.